Adjustable Guide Vanes in Cryogenic Expander Nozzle Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic liquefied gas expanders are limited by fixed nozzle rings that require shutdown for vane position changes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to production disruptions when flow rates and differential pressures vary.
Innovation Solution
A non-rotating nozzle ring with adjustable position guide vanes allows for in-service adjustments without shutdown, enabling variable speed operation and improved efficiency by altering channel widths between guide vanes using a gear screw mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed position guide vanes are used in the nozzle ring, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the expander cannot adapt to variable flow rates and differential pressures without shutdown for nozzle ring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vanes are made adjustable through a mechanism involving a rotatable ring base with gear screws that can change the position of guide vanes while the expander is operating. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the nozzle ring to adapt to varying flow rates and differential pressures without requiring shutdown for replacement, directly resolving the technical contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If the nozzle ring is replaced to change guide vane position, then the flow rate and differential pressure can be changed, but the expander must be shut down causing production loss
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable guide vane mechanism allows the expander to maintain continuous operation while adapting to different operating conditions. The gear screw mechanism enables position changes of guide vanes during operation without shutdown, ensuring continuous productive action and eliminating production losses associated with nozzle ring replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The operator can adjust the guide vane positions using the gear screw mechanism from the outside of the pressure containment vessel without needing to disassemble or shut down the expander. This self-adjustment capability makes the system easy to operate while maintaining continuous production.
3Reliability
If fixed guide vanes are used, then the device is simpler to manufacture, but the efficiency decreases when operating outside designed flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide vanes are designed with adjustable positions through the gear screw mechanism, allowing the expander to maintain high efficiency across a range of flow rates and differential pressures. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures reliable performance under varying operating conditions without requiring complex manufacturing of multiple fixed nozzle rings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous operation and fine-tuning of flow rates and pressures without shutdown, reducing production costs and maintaining efficiency across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The outer end of each adjustable position guide vane is capable of being repositioned by a guide vane adjustment mechanism having a gear screw affixed to the rotatable ring base, a gear screw rod engaged to the gear screw, wherein rotation of the gear screw rod causes the gear screw to move the rotatable ring base
Implementation Method 2
the nozzle ring provides an entrance for the pressurized liquefied gas from within the pressure containment vessel into the hydraulic assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an improved multistage cryogenic liquefied gas expander for transforming the energy of a pressurized liquefied gas into electric energy, capable of operating at variable speeds, the improvement being a multistage cryogenic liquefied gas expander having at least two stages where only the first stage has a non-rotating nozzle ring having a plurality of adjustable position guide vanes.